- Telemark Canal
Infobox River
river_name = Telemark Canal
caption = The "Henrik Ibsen" in a lock atVrangfoss staircase locks
origin =
mouth =
basin_countries =
length = 105 km
elevation = 72 m
mouth_elevation =
discharge =
watershed = The Telemark Canal originally consisted of two canals: TheNorsjø -Skien Canal, with locks inSkien andLøveid was built in the period1854 –1861 , and is the oldest of the two canals.The other original canal –
Bandak -Nordsjø Canal – was opened in1892 . InEurope , this canal was seen as "the eighth wonder" when it was finished. The Bandak-Nordsjø Canal was mainly built for transport of goods and passengers,log floating and to preventflooding . Log floating, however, is no longer practiced, due to the closing of Union - a local paper factory.The Telemark Canal consists of 18
lock-chambers , is 105 km long and has a difference in altitude of 72 m.The biggeststaircase lock isVrangfoss which has five lock-chambers and a lifting height of 23 m. The passenger boats "Henrik Ibsen" and "Victoria" travel with tourists from Skien to Dalen viaKviteseid . "Victoria" has traveled through the Norsjø-Skien Canal since1882 , and on the Bandak-Norsjø Canal since its opening.Distribution of the 18 lock-chambers
Maximum traffic dimensions on the Telemark Canal
External links
* [http://www.telemarkskanalen.no The Telemark Canal]
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